Korea, Republic of
Machine Learning Approach for Prediction of Hydrogen Environment Embrittlement in Austenitic Steels
Jun 2022
Publication
This study introduces a machine learning approach to predict the effect of alloying elements and test conditions on the hydrogen environment embrittlement (HEE) index of austenitic steels for the first time. The correlation between input features and the HEE index was analyzed with Pearson's correlation coefficient (PCC) and Maximum Information Coefficient (MIC) algorithms. The correlation analysis results identified Ni and Mo as dominant features influencing the HEE index of austenitic steels. Based on the analysis results the performance of the four representative machine learning models as a function of the number of top-ranked features was evaluated: random forest (RF) linear regression (LR) Bayesian ridge (BR) and support vector machine (SVM). Regardless of the type and the number of top-ranking features the RF model had the highest accuracy among various models. The machine learning-based approach is expected to be useful in designing new steels having mechanical properties required for hydrogen applications.
Preparation of Gas Standards for Quality Assurance of Hydrogen Fuel
May 2022
Publication
This study has developed traceable standards for evaluating impurities in hydrogen fuel according to ISO 14687. Impurities in raw H2 including sub mmol/mol levels of CO CO2 and CH4 were analyzed using multiple detectors while avoiding contamination. The gravimetric standards prepared included mixtures of the following nominal concentrations: 1 2 3e5 8e11 17e23 and 47e65 mmol/mol for CO2 CH4 and CO O2 N2 Ar and He respectively. The expanded uncertainty ranges were 0.8% for Ar N2 and He 1% for CH4 and CO and 2% for CO2 and O2. These standards were stable while that for CO varied by only 0.5% during a time span of three years. The prepared standards are useful for evaluating the compliance of H2 fuel in service stations with ISO 14687 quality requirements.
Dynamic Mechanical Fatigue Behavior of Polymer Electrolyte Membranes for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles Using a Gas Pressure-Loaded Blister
Nov 2021
Publication
This study reports on an innovative press-loaded blister hybrid system equipped with gas-chromatography (PBS-GC) that is designed to evaluate the mechanical fatigue of two representative types of commercial Nafion membranes under relevant PEMFC operating conditions (e.g. simultaneously controlling temperature and humidity). The influences of various applied pressures (50 kPa 100 kPa etc.) and blistering gas types (hydrogen oxygen etc.) on the mechanical resistance loss are systematically investigated. The results evidently indicate that hydrogen gas is a more effective blistering gas for inducing dynamic mechanical losses of PEM. The changes in proton conductivity are also measured before and after hydrogen gas pressure-loaded blistering. After performing the mechanical aging test a decrease in proton conductivity was confirmed which was also interpreted using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis. Finally an accelerated dynamic mechanical aging test is performed using the homemade PBS-GC system where the hydrogen permeability rate increases significantly when the membrane is pressure-loaded blistering for 10 min suggesting notable mechanical fatigue of the PEM. In summary this PBS-GC system developed in-house clearly demonstrates its capability of screening and characterizing various membrane candidates in a relatively short period of time (<1.5 h at 50 kPa versus 200 h).
Non-precious Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis: A Mini Review
Sep 2021
Publication
Anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) is considered the next generation of green hydrogen production method because it uses low-cost non-noble metal oxide electrocatalyst electrodes and can store highpurity hydrogen under high pressure. However the commercialization of AEMWE with non-precious metal oxide electrocatalysts is challenging due to low electrocatalytic activity and durability. Overcoming the low kinetics caused by four-electron transfer is vital in addressing the low activity of non-noble metal oxide electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction. This article overviews the synthesis methods and related techniques for various anode electrodes applied to AEMWE systems. We highlight effective strategies that have been developed to improve the performance and durability of the non-precious electrocatalysts and ensure the stable operation of AEMWE followed by a critical perspective to encourage the development of this technology.
Numerical Study of the Action of Convection on the Volume and Length of the Flammable Zone Formed by Hydrogen Emissions from the Vent Masts Installed on an International Ship
Nov 2021
Publication
International ships carrying liquefied fuel are strongly recommended to install vent masts to control the pressure of cargo tanks in the event of an emergency. However the gas emitted from a vent mast may be hazardous for the crew of the ship. In the present study the volume and length of the flammable zone (FZ) created by the emitted gas above the ship was examined. Various scenarios comprising four parameters namely relative wind speed arrangement of vent masts combination of emissions among four vent masts and direction of emission from the vent-mast outlet were considered. The results showed that the convection acts on the volume and length of an FZ. The volume of an FZ increases when there is a reduction in convection reaching the FZ and when strong convection brings hydrogen from a nearby FZ. The length of the FZ is also related to convection. An FZ is elongated if the center of a vortex is located inside the FZ because this vortex traps hydrogen inside the FZ. The length of an FZ decreases if the center of the vortex is located outside the FZ as such a vortex brings more fresh air into the FZ.
Hydrogen Production Possibility using Mongolian Renewable Energy
Jan 2019
Publication
There is widespread popular support for using renewable energy particularly solar and wind energy which provide electricity without giving rise to any carbon dioxide emissions. Harnessing these for electricity depends on the cost and efficiency of the technology which is constantly improving thus reducing costs per peak kilowatt and per kWh. Utilizing solar and wind-generated electricity in a stand-alone system requires corresponding battery or other storage capacity. The possibility of large-scale use of hydrogen in the future as a transport fuel increases the potential for both renewables and base-load electricity supply.
Green Hydrogen Production Technologies from Ammonia Cracking
Nov 2022
Publication
The rising technology of green hydrogen supply systems is expected to be on the horizon. Hydrogen is a clean and renewable energy source with the highest energy content by weight among the fuels and contains about six times more energy than ammonia. Meanwhile ammonia is the most popular substance as a green hydrogen carrier because it does not carry carbon and the total hydrogen content of ammonia is higher than other fuels and is thus suitable to convert to hydrogen. There are several pathways for hydrogen production. The considered aspects herein include hydrogen production technologies pathways based on the raw material and energy sources and different scales. Hydrogen can be produced from ammonia through several technologies such as electro-chemical photocatalytic and thermochemical processes that can be used at production plants and fueling stations taking into consideration the conversion efficiency reactors catalysts and their related economics. The commercial process is conducted by using expensive Ru catalysts in the ammonia converting process but is considered to be replaced by other materials such as Ni Co La and other perovskite catalysts which have high commercial potential with equivalent activity for extracting hydrogen from ammonia. For successful engraftment of ammonia to hydrogen technology into industry integration with green technologies and economic methods as well as safety aspects should be carried out.
Economic Analysis on Hydrogen Pipeline Infrastructure Establishment Scenarios: Case Study of South Korea
Sep 2022
Publication
South Korea has a plan to realize a hydrogen economy and it is essential to establish a main hydrogen pipeline for hydrogen transport. This study develops a cost estimation model applicable to the construction of hydrogen pipelines and conducts an economic analysis to evaluate various scenarios for hydrogen pipeline construction. As a result the cost of modifying an existing natural gas to a hydrogen pipeline is the lowest however there are issues with the safety of the modified hydrogen pipes from natural gas and the necessity of the existing natural gas pipelines. In the case of a short-distance hydrogen pipeline the cost is about 1.8 times that of the existing natural gas pipeline modification but it is considered a transitional scenario before the construction of the main hydrogen pipeline nationwide. Lastly in the case of long-distance main hydrogen pipeline construction it takes about 3.7 times as much cost as natural gas pipeline modification however it has the advantage of being the ultimate hydrogen pipeline network. In this study various hydrogen pipeline establishment scenarios ware compared. These results are expected to be utilized to establish plans for building hydrogen pipelines and to evaluate their economic feasibility.
Comparative Study on Ammonia and Liquid Hydrogen Transportation Costs in Comparison to LNG
Feb 2023
Publication
Since ammonia and liquid hydrogen are the optional future shipping cargo and fuels the applicability was crucial using the current technologies and expectations. Existing studies for the economic feasibility of the energies had limitations: empirical evaluation with assumptions and insufficiency related to causality. A distorted estimation can result in failure of decision-making or policy in terms of future energy. The present study aimed to evaluate the transportation costs of future energy including ammonia and liquid hydrogen in comparison to LNG for overcoming the limitations. An integrated mathematical model was applied to the investigation for economic feasibility. The transportation costs of the chosen energies were evaluated for the given transportation plan considering key factors: ship speed BOR and transportation plan. The transportation costs at the design speed for LNG and liquid hydrogen were approximately 55 % and 80 % of that for ammonia without considering the social cost due to CO2 emission. Although ammonia was the most expensive energy for transportation ammonia could be an effective alternative due to insensitivity to the transportation plan. If the social cost was taken into account liquid hydrogen already gained competitiveness in comparison to LNG. The advantage of liquid hydrogen was maximized for higher speed where more BOG was injected into main engines.
Sector Coupling and Migration towards Carbon-Neutral Power Systems
Feb 2023
Publication
There is increasing interest in migrating to a carbon-neutral power system that relies on renewable energy due to concerns about greenhouse gas emissions energy shortages and global warming. However the increasing share of renewable energy has added volatility and uncertainty to power system operations. Introducing new devices and using flexible resources may help solve the problem but expanding the domain of the problem can be another solution. Sector coupling which integrates production consumption conversion and storage by connecting various energy domains could potentially meet the needs of each energy sector. It can also reduce the generation of surplus energy and unnecessary carbon emissions. As a result sector coupling an integrated energy system increases the acceptance of renewable energy in the traditional power system and makes it carbon neutral. However difficulties in large-scale integration low conversion efficiency and economic feasibility remain obstacles. This perspective paper discusses the background definition and components of sector coupling as well as its functions and examples in rendering power systems carbon-neutral. The current limitations and outlook of sector coupling are also examined.
Life Cycle Cost Analysis of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle that Employs Hydrogen Fuel Cell
Feb 2024
Publication
The use of autonomous vehicles for marine and submarine work has risen considerably in the last decade. Developing new monitoring systems navigation and communications technologies allows a wide range of operational possibilities. Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) are being used in offshore missions and applications with some innovative purposes by using sustainable and green energy sources. This paper considers an AUV that uses a hydrogen fuel cell achieving zero emissions. This paper analyses the life cycle cost of the UAV and compares it with a UAV powered by conventional energy. The EN 60300-3-3 guidelines have been employed to develop the cost models. The output results show estimations for the net present value under different scenarios and financial strategies. The study has been completed with the discount rate sensibility analysis in terms of financial viability.
Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning in Energy Management Systems, Control, and Optimization of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles
Mar 2023
Publication
Environmental emissions global warming and energy-related concerns have accelerated the advancements in conventional vehicles that primarily use internal combustion engines. Among the existing technologies hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles and fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles may have minimal contributions to greenhouse gas emissions and thus are the prime choices for environmental concerns. However energy management in fuel cell electric vehicles and fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles is a major challenge. Appropriate control strategies should be used for effective energy management in these vehicles. On the other hand there has been significant progress in artificial intelligence machine learning and designing data-driven intelligent controllers. These techniques have found much attention within the community and state-of-the-art energy management technologies have been developed based on them. This manuscript reviews the application of machine learning and intelligent controllers for prediction control energy management and vehicle to everything (V2X) in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The effectiveness of data-driven control and optimization systems are investigated to evolve classify and compare and future trends and directions for sustainability are discussed.
Economic Evaluation of an Ammonia-Fueled Ammonia Carrier Depending on Methods of Ammonia Fuel Storage
Dec 2021
Publication
This study proposed two concepts for ammonia fuel storage for an ammonia-fueled ammonia carrier and evaluated these concepts in terms of economics. The first concept was to use ammonia in the cargo tank as fuel and the second concept was to install an additional independent fuel tank in the vessel. When more fuel tanks were installed there was no cargo loss. However there were extra costs for fuel tanks. The target ship was an 84000 m3 ammonia carrier (very large gas carrier VLGC). It traveled from Kuwait to South Korea. The capacity of fuel tanks was 4170 m3 which is the required amount for the round trip. This study conducted an economic evaluation to compare the two proposed concepts. Profits were estimated based on sales and life cycle cost (LCC). Results showed that sales were USD 1223 million for the first concept and USD 1287 million for the second concept. Profits for the first and second concepts were USD 684.3 million and USD 739.5 million respectively. The second concept showed a USD 53.1 million higher profit than the first concept. This means that the second concept which installed additional independent fuel tanks was better than the first concept in terms of economics. Sensitivity analysis was performed to investigate the influence of given parameters on the results. When the ammonia fuel price was changed by ±25% there was a 15% change in the profits and if the ammonia (transport) fee was changed by ±25% there was a 45% change in the profits. The ammonia fuel price and ammonia (cargo) transport fee had a substantial influence on the business of ammonia carriers.
Techno-economic Analysis of On-site Blue Hydrogen Production Based on Vacuum Pressure Adsorption: Practical Application to Real-world Hydrogen Refueling Stations
Feb 2023
Publication
Although climate change can be efficiently curbed by shifting to low-carbon (blue) hydrogen as an energy carrier to achieve carbon neutrality current hydrogen production mainly proceeds via the gray pathway i.e. generates large amounts of CO2 as a byproduct. To address the need for cleaner hydrogen production we herein propose novel CO2 capture processes based on the integration of vacuum pressure swing adsorption into a gray hydrogen production process and perform retrofitting to a blue hydrogen production process for on-site hydrogen refueling stations. Techno-economic analysis reveals that the implementation of the proposed capture processes allows one to significantly reduce CO2 emission while preserving thermal efficiency and the economic feasibility of this implementation in different scenarios is determined by computing the levelized cost of hydrogen. As a result blue hydrogen is shown to hold great promise for the realization of sustainable energy usage and the net-zero transition.
Modelling and Simulation of a Hydrogen-Based Hybrid Energy Storage System with a Switching Algorithm
Oct 2022
Publication
Currently transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy is needed considering the impact of climate change on the globe. From this point of view there is a need for development in several stages such as storage transmission and conversion of power. In this paper we demonstrate a simulation of a hybrid energy storage system consisting of a battery and fuel cell in parallel operation. The novelty in the proposed system is the inclusion of an electrolyser along with a switching algorithm. The electrolyser consumes electricity to intrinsically produce hydrogen and store it in a tank. This implies that the system consumes electricity as input energy as opposed to hydrogen being the input fuel. The hydrogen produced by the electrolyser and stored in the tank is later utilised by the fuel cell to produce electricity to power the load when needed. Energy is therefore stored in the form of hydrogen. A battery of lower capacity is coupled with the fuel cell to handle transient loads. A parallel control algorithm is developed to switch on/off the charging and discharging cycle of the fuel cell and battery depending upon the connected load. Electrically equivalent circuits of a polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyser polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell necessary hydrogen oxygen water tanks and switching controller for the parallel operation were modelled with their respective mathematical equations in MATLAB® Simulink®. In this paper we mainly focus on the modelling and simulation of the proposed system. The results showcase the simulated system’s mentioned advantages and compare its ability to handle loads to a battery-only system.
Recent Progress in Conducting Polymers for Hydrogen Storage and Fuel Cell Applications
Oct 2020
Publication
Hydrogen is a clean fuel and an abundant renewable energy resource. In recent years huge scientific attention has been invested to invent suitable materials for its safe storage. Conducting polymers has been extensively investigated as a potential hydrogen storage and fuel cell membrane due to the low cost ease of synthesis and processability to achieve the desired morphological and microstructural architecture ease of doping and composite formation chemical stability and functional properties. The review presents the recent progress in the direction of material selection modification to achieve appropriate morphology and adsorbent properties chemical and thermal stabilities. Polyaniline is the most explored material for hydrogen storage. Polypyrrole and polythiophene has also been explored to some extent. Activated carbons derived from conducting polymers have shown the highest specific surface area and significant storage. This review also covers recent advances in the field of proton conducting solid polymer electrolyte membranes in fuel cells application. This review focuses on the basic structure synthesis and working mechanisms of the polymer materials and critically discusses their relative merits.
Carbon-free Green Hydrogen Production Process with Induction Heating-based Ammonia Decomposition Reactor
Dec 2022
Publication
This study presents an induction heating-based reactor for ammonia decomposition and to achieve a 150 Nm3 /h carbon-free green hydrogen production process. The developed metallic monolith reactor acts by increasing the reactor temperature through an electromagnetic induction method using renewable-based electricity. As a result hydrogen is produced without the generation of air pollutants such as CO2 which are formed via the conventional production pathway. Furthermore techno-economic analysis was conducted based on exergy and economic analysis to evaluate the feasibility of the developed process. Experimentally the proposed reactor showed an ammonia conversion of 90.0 % at 600 ℃ and 7 barg. Exergy analysis indicated that the total unused exergy accounted for 45.79 % of the total exergy input giving an exergy efficiency of 54.21 % for the overall process. Furthermore the CAPEX and OPEX values are calculated as 1599567 USD and 644719 USD/y respectively; therefore the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) was calculated to be 6.98 USD/kgH2. This study also demonstrated that the LCOH varies with the ammonia feed price and the process capacity and so it would be expected to decrease from 6.98 to 5.33 USD/kgH2 as the hydrogen production capacity is increased from 150 to 500 Nm3 / h. Overall our results confirm the feasibility of carbon-free green hydrogen production on on-site hydrogen refueling stations and they will be expected to advance the development of an environmental hydrogen economy.
Effects of Hydrogen Mixture Ratio and Scavenging Air Temperature on Combustion and Emission Characteristics of a 2-stroke Marine Engine
Nov 2022
Publication
A numerical study was conducted to investigate the effects of hydrogen and scavenging air temperature (SAT) on the combustion and emission characteristics of a 2-stroke heavy-duty dual-fuel (DF) marine engine at full load. The engine had a 700 mm bore fuelled with hydrogen–methane (H2-CH4) mixtures. Three-dimensional simulations of the combustion and emission formation inside the engine cylinder with various H2 contents in the H2-CH4 mixture were performed. ANSYS FLUENT simulation software was used to analyse the engine performance in-cylinder pressure temperature and emission characteristics. The CFD models were validated against the measured data recorded from the engine experiments. The results showed that an increase in the in-cylinder peak pressure increased the engine power when the H2 content in the H2-CH4 mixture increased. Notably CO2 and soot emissions decreased (up to more than 65%) when the H2 content in the gaseous mixture increased to 50%. Specific NO emissions in the DF modes were lower than that of the diesel mode when the H2 content in the gaseous mixture was lower than 40%. However they increased compared to the diesel mode when the H2 content continued to increase. This limits the H2 amount that should be used in a gaseous mixture creating NO emissions. The results also showed that the SAT cooling method can further reduce emission problems while enhancing engine power. In particular reducing the SAT to 28 ◦C in the gaseous mixture with 10% H2 ensured that the DF mode emitted the lowest NO emissions compared to the diesel mode. This reduced NO emissions by 37.92% compared to the measured NO emissions of the research engine (a Tier II marine engine). This study successfully analysed the benefits of using an H2-CH4 mixture as the primary fuel and the SAT cooling method in a 2-stroke ME-GI heavy-duty marine engine.
Novel Carbon-neutral Hydrogen Production Process of Steam Methane Reforming Integrated with Desalination Wastewater-based CO2 Utilization
Nov 2022
Publication
Steam methane reforming (SMR) process is facing serious greenhouse effect problems because of the significant CO2 emissions. To reduce pollution caused by gaseous emissions desalination wastewater can be used because it contains highly concentrated useful mineral ions such as Ca2+ Mg2+ and Na+ which react with carbonate ions. This study proposes a novel SMR process for carbon-neutral hydrogen production integrated with desalination wastewater-based CO2 utilization. A process model for the design of a novel SMR process is proposed; it comprises the following steps: (1) SMR process for hydrogen production; and (2) desalination wastewater recovery for CO2 utilization. In the process model the CO2 from the SMR process was captured using the Na+ ion and the captured ionic CO2 was carbonated using the Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions in desalination wastewater. The levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) was assessed to demonstrate the economic feasibility of the proposed process. Therefore 94.5 % of the CO2 from the SMR process was captured and the conversion of MgCO3 and CaCO3 was determined to be 60 % and 99 % respectively. In addition the CO2 emission via the proposed process was determined to be 0.016 kgCO2/kgH2 and the LCOH was calculated to be 2.6 USD/kgH2.
A Review on Industrial Perspectives and Challenges on Material, Manufacturing, Design and Development of Compressed Hydrogen Storage Tanks for the Transportation Sector
Jul 2022
Publication
Hydrogen fuel cell technology is securing a place in the future of advanced mobility and the energy revolution as engineers explore multiple paths in the quest for decarbonization. The feasibility of hydrogen-based fuel cell vehicles particularly relies on the development of safe lightweight and cost-competitive solutions for hydrogen storage. After the demonstration of hundreds of prototype vehicles today commercial hydrogen tanks are in the first stages of market introduction adopting configurations that use composite materials. However production rates remain low and costs high. This paper intends to provide an insight into the evolving scenario of solutions for hydrogen storage in the transportation sector. Current applications in different sectors of transport are covered focusing on their individual requirements. Furthermore this work addresses the efforts to produce economically attractive composite tanks discussing the challenges surrounding material choices and manufacturing practices as well as cutting-edge trends pursued by research and development teams. Key issues in the design and analysis of hydrogen tanks are also discussed. Finally testing and certification requirements are debated once they play a vital role in industry acceptance.
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